Archive · 29 Jul 2026
Qantas Airbus A350 Completes 24-Hour Test Flight
Airbus and Qantas recently completed a very long test flight that lasted more than 24 hours.
They flew an Airbus A350-1000ULR airplane from Melbourne, Australia, to Toulouse, France, without stopping.
This flight was part of a project called Project Sunrise, which aims to offer nonstop flights from Australia to London and New York starting in 2027.
The airplane is specially designed to carry extra fuel and can fly for almost a full day without landing.
This test flight was watched by millions of people online, making it one of the most tracked flights ever.
The project has been in development for nearly a decade and will significantly reduce travel time for passengers.
Airbus and Qantas completed a 24-hour nonstop test flight with an Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft.
The flight covered 23,075 km (14,338 miles) from Melbourne, Australia, to Toulouse, France.
The test flight was part of Qantas' Project Sunrise, aiming to launch nonstop flights from Australia to London and New York by 2027.
The aircraft is equipped with an additional 20,000-litre fuel tank to enable ultra-long-haul operations.
The flight was tracked by over 3.6 million people, making it one of the most-watched flights ever.
- Who
- Airbus and Qantas
- What
- Completed a 24-hour nonstop test flight with an Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft
- When
- July 27-28
- Where
- From Melbourne, Australia to Toulouse, France
- Why
- To test the feasibility of ultra-long-haul flights for Project Sunrise
Advocates for Ultra-Long-Haul Flights
Critics of Ultra-Long-Haul Flights
Environmental Impact
Advocates for Ultra-Long-Haul Flights
Advocates argue that reducing the number of flights through nonstop routes can lower overall carbon emissions by minimizing stopovers and ground operations.
Critics of Ultra-Long-Haul Flights
Critics contend that the increased fuel consumption and emissions from longer flights outweigh the benefits of fewer flights.
Passenger Comfort
Advocates for Ultra-Long-Haul Flights
Proponents highlight the convenience and time savings for passengers, making long-haul travel more efficient and comfortable.
Critics of Ultra-Long-Haul Flights
Opponents express concerns about the potential health risks and discomfort for passengers spending nearly a full day in the air.
- Flight Duration
- 24 hours and 24 minutes
- Distance Covered
- 23,075 km (14,338 miles)
- Aircraft Model
- Airbus A350-1000ULR
- Departure Location
- Melbourne, Australia
- Arrival Location
- Toulouse, France
- Number of Passengers
- 12 (8 Airbus test crew, 2 Qantas pilots, 2 Airbus engineers)
- Project Name
- Project Sunrise
- Expected Commercial Service Start
- October 2027
Sources
3.6mn people track 24hr Qantas flight from Melbourne to Toulouse: Pilot shifts, fuel tank and other details
History Made As Qantas Plane Flies Nonstop For More Than 24 Hours In Record-Breaking Flight
How Did Qantas Make History By Flying 24-Hours Non-Stop: All About The Ultra-Long-Haul Mission
